1 Chronicles 17:7-11 Now therefore thus shall you say to my servant David, Thus said the LORD of hosts, I took you from the sheepcote… David is thus presented to our thought as the type of youths rising from lowly to lofty positions, and rising by virtue of conditions and qualities essentially the same. What are these conditions and qualities? To say that God chose David and put this high honour on him does not at all answer the question. Why did the Divine choice fall on him? God's choice of agents and bestowment of honours are not made capriciously, without ground of personal merit in the subject. Our task is to study the human elements, to estimate the subjective factors in this problem of growth and greatness. David was the man after "God's own heart," not absolutely, but because he was the best of his nation and age for the work he was called to do. I. There was in David A SUBSTANTIAL GROUND OF PERSONAL WORTH, of susceptibilities and tendencies upon which to build a life of greatness. II. HIS LIFE WAS SWAYED BY A GREAT PURPOSE. III. HE HAD GREAT COURAGE. 1. Physical. 2. Moral. IV. He exhibited, through all these years of preparation and development, GREAT FIDELITY TO TRUSTS IMPOSED. V. He had GREAT FAITH IN GOD. VI. All his estimable qualities were fed and fired by HABITUAL AND GENUINE RELIGIOUS DEVOTION. (C. H. Payne, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Now therefore thus shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, even from following the sheep, that thou shouldest be ruler over my people Israel: |
    |